What Are Assisted Living Homes and Why Are They a Good Idea?

As our loved ones age, we may grow concerned about their ability to take care of themselves. It’s not always possible for us to be around and help with day to day tasks like cooking, cleaning, and administering medications. At some point, we may have to make arrangements for longterm care.

There are a lot of options in the department of longterm care, ranging from at-home care to nursing homes. It can be difficult to decide which one is best for our family members, especially if they need a bit more than at-home care but aren’t in need of a nursing home.

Chances are, you’ve heard the term “assisted living homes.” Recent polls confirm that about 39.5 million Americans are over the age of 65, and about 1 million of them live in assisted living homes. While it’s easy to confuse assisted living homes with nursing homes, there are some distinct differences.

Read on to find out more about assisted living homes, what they are, and why they may be the perfect solution for your family.

What is Assisted Living?

Assisted living offers quickly accessible care in a home-like setting. Nurses and other trained professionals are present at all times to help with a variety of tasks both medical and personal. Most assisted living homes will allow you to customize the care your loved one will receive.

Assisted living homes are created to feel comfortable and provide some degree of privacy. Residents have their own rooms, if not their own kitchens and living areas, as well.

Nursing homes, on the other hand, are designed for more clinical uses. If your loved one is still mentally cognizant and physically able, they may not enjoy staying in a nursing home. Assisted living homes allow for more freedom and residents are able to maintain their own personal routines.

Why Are Assisted Living Homes a Good Option?

For some older adults, assisted living offers the perfect balance between their old routine and fulltime care. Before we talk about the ways that they can improve the life of your loved one, check out this guide to assisted living for signs that longterm care may be necessary and help with payment options.

Grooming and Housekeeping

As we grow older, it can be more difficult to take care of ourselves and our space.

Oftentimes, this difficulty comes from decreasing physical abilities. Over time, it can grow harder to bend, lift, and balance. In some cases, it may be the result of changing mental abilities and forgetfulness.

The caregivers at assisted living homes can help your loved one bathe, decreasing the risk of accidents like slipping or tripping. They can also help with dressing, hair maintenance, and nail maintenance. Staying on top of personal grooming can do wonders for mood and mental health!

Caregivers will also make sure that residents’ homes or apartments are neat and tidy. Having an organized living space is beneficial for people with slowing mental faculties. Too much clutter can cause sensory overload and agitation.

Eating

Of course, everyone needs to eat three meals a day, but this is especially crucial for people who have special dietary needs. If your loved one has been diagnosed with a disease or disorder that requires a change in diet, they may struggle to adapt on their own.

Caregivers at assisted living homes can provide one to three meals a day, depending on the level of assistance a resident needs. Many assisted living homes partner with nutritionists who can craft meal plans for people with specific dietary needs. Caregivers can make sure that these meal plans are maintained.

Medication

It’s not uncommon for people to enter into assisted living as a result of increased medication. It can be particularly difficult for older people who are required to take multiple medications to stay on top of that daily regime. It can also be hard to remember any rules regarding when and how they should take each medication.

Nurses and other medical professionals can work with residents to ensure that they are taking their medications properly. They can also monitor any signs of side effects, which is especially crucial when multiple medications are necessary at once. Not all medications interact well with one another, and in some cases, side effects are triggered by the ingredients in conflicting medications.

By having a medical professional on the clock at all times, you can rest easy that your loved one is being taken care of and monitored at all times.

Socialization

One of the hardest parts of aging for many individuals is the loss or lessening of socialization. Family members have grown older and have to focus on their own lives, friends pass away, and leaving the house becomes more difficult. It’s no secret that prolonged loneliness can lead to depression and anxiety, but we often forget to consider the mental health of our loved ones when their physical health needs attention, too.

Assisted living homes often organize activities that are senior-friendly and encourage residents to establish a community together. This community allows older people to socialize without having to stray too far from home, and the friends they make are neighbors! You’ll be thrilled at the improvement in mood when your loved one has an active social life again.

Put Your Loved One in Good Hands

Talk to your aging loved one about the perks of assisted living homes. While change is always difficult at first, they just may find that the balance of privacy, freedom, and caretaking will improve their lives and keep them healthier for years to come.

For more information on health, living options, and more, check out the rest of our listings. We do what we can to keep you up to date on the latest trends and opportunities so that you can live your best life!